Dweck coined the term “growth mindset,” which she defines as the mindset of people who believe “that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work — brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”

The opposite of a growth mindset is a “fixed mindset,” with which “people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits,” Dweck writes. “They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success — without effort.”

Throughout her research, Dweck found that people with a growth mindset tend to achieve and accomplish more. More importantly, they feel better about themselves. On the other hand, people with a fixed mindset — regardless of their IQ — tend to not take risks, and therefore have trouble achieving success in life.

All of this information is well and good. But as a parent, I want to know: what practical steps can I take?

Since readingDweck’s book I’ve asked this question of myself a few times and discovered a number of resources – coaching tips, books to share with children, and other tools – parents can use to help cultivate a growth mindset in their children.

Encouraging kids to have a growth mindset is best accomplished over time and with careful attention from parents, teachers, and coaches. And while the resources below can never take the place of that nurturing, they can supplement it, and be used to reinforce the message that intelligence isn’t entirely innate, rather can be developed through resilience, hard work, and dedication.

Educate Yourself

Before reviewing resources, it helps to have a firm understanding of the term “growth mindset.” This, of course, is best accomplished byreading the book that explains in depth Dweck’s research and findings of what makes a growth mindset so powerful.

For those without the time to read the book, videos and articles are also available to help parents better understand Dweck’s research. In the video below, Dweck talks about the “power of yet” and gives a general overview of her work, the importance of having a growth mindset, and what parents can do to develop a growth mindset in their children.

Want more? Here are some additional videos and an article that provide a basic understanding of growth mindset:

Normalize struggle

What are some practical strategies parents can use to encourage a growth mindset in their children?

To begin with, parents can openly discuss challenging work with their children. Dweck calls this “normalizing struggle.” The following video features a teacher who encourages her students to persist through challenges. She accomplishes this by assigning challenging work and normalizing the struggle of getting the correct answer.

The following videos also provide practical tips for parents about how to develop a growth mindset in kids:

How to Develop a Growth Mindset in Kids: if you already understand growth mindset, skip to 2:50 in this video where a list of practical tips for parents is shared. Tips in include: be a good role model, openly fail in front of your kids and praise the process, not the result.

Three Ways to a Growth Mindset: this quick video talks about the importance of recognizing our own mindsets, praising the process, and showing kids how to learn from failure.

Children’s Books That Promote a Growth Mindset

Parents can also reinforce a growth mindset in their children through stories. When children hear tales of other kids who persisted through a challenge, it sends the message that they are capable of the same thing.

Click here or on the image below to view a list of 14 Children’s Books that Promote a Growth Mindset:

Other Resources to Promote a Growth Mindset

The value of a growth mindset can also be reinforced through journals, posters, and printables.

Growth Mindset Affirmation Cards for Kids

These cards can encourage a growth mindset in you kids no matter wherever they are. While the affirmations on these cards can’t take the place of real interactions with adults, they can serve to reinforce the growth mindset message kids are already hearing from adults at home or school.

These cards can be:

A reference during the school day when placed on a ring in your child’s backpack

Reminders at home when taped to a mirror or tacked to a bulletin board so kids see them each time they pass by

An interactive family exercise when kids or parents can pick two or three cards from a bowl and read them out loud as a daily reminder.

Growth Mindset Journal

This growth mindset journal – filled with stories, poems, quotes, illustrations, and writing prompts – is meant help children recognize their ability to learn, embrace challenges, persevere and discover how they can grow from mistakes and failures.

Stories in the book include the failures and successes of Elon Musk, J.K. Rowling, Walt Disney, and others.

About S.S.K.

Trying to raise independent, self-sufficient kids isn’t always easy! We want to be supportive parents, but not take over their lives. Where’s the balance? I’m still trying to figure it out myself. Read more about why I started Self-Sufficient Kids here.

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